- Tour Contractor: Alen Augustin, owner, operator Sitnica Tourist Agency, Buje, Croatia.
- CCCTS Tour Coordinator: Janet Whitehead, 604.516.9455 (the Tour Coordinator (TC) acts as liaison between Sitnica Tourist Agency and participants)
- Tour Dates: September 12 to October 2, 2016
- Registration Opening: April 1st, 2016 @ 5:00 PM (1700h) PST.
- Tour Numbers: Minimum 12, Maximum 14 (please note that maximum may increase to 18, subject to accommodation availability)
- Tour Rating: Intermediate with hills.
- Tour Price: €2300 (as of February 15th, approx. $3545 CAD)
Description: Croatia has a population of 4.25 million and prides itself on its cultural, artistic, scientific, and athletic accomplishments, as well as its scenery, cuisine and wine. The entire western border is on the Adriatic Sea where there are over a thousand islands and is one of the most dramatic coastlines in the Mediterranean region. The first eight days will be on the very scenic Istrian Peninsula (the Croatian Tuscany). The remaining thirteen days will be along the spectacular Dalmatian coast with island hopping between the mainland and certain coastal islands. The tour will take in mountain vistas, coastal views, medieval towns, Roman architectural remains, olive orchards, vineyards ending in the World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik. Three non-cycling days are planned during the Tour to permit an in-depth savoring of Croatia’s Adriatic culture and history.
Alen Augusten contracted three most successful CCCTS-sponsored tours of Croatia in 2012, ’13 and ‘15, and is described by participants “…. as well organized, capable and personable”. He also organized a very successful private tour for CCCTS members in 2011. The 2016 tour will be the same route and distances as the 2015 tour.
Sitnica can arrange excellent bike rentals at a cost of €350 for the tour. For those planning to bring bikes, a touring bike (28 mm tires) or a hybrid bike is recommended. Road bikes with 23 mm tires are not advised. A sag wagon will be available at all times to transport luggage and ill or injured riders. A maximum of two bags, no heavier than 18 kg each will be permitted.
Please note: Sitnica Tourist Agency (STA) accepts Euros (€) only, thus individual payments will be made by each registrant to the Tour Coordinator, who will pay STA via bank transfers. This payment process worked well for all previous tours.
Cycling conditions: Total cycling distance is approximately 950 kilometers, all on asphalt with the exception of one 5 km stretch of gravel. The average distance per day is ~60 km; the longest day will be ~80 km. Typical speeds on flats are 15 – 20 km/h, but riders can ride at the pace of their choice providing they meet for each day’s group lunch and happy hour.
The route is described as Intermediate with hills (CCCTS) and riders should be prepared for some steep climbs and be in good cycling condition. There could be high winds temperatures from 10 to 30 ° C.
Logistics: The tour starts in Pula on the Istrian Peninsula and ends in Dubrovnik at the most southern end of the Dalmatian coast. Pula is accessible by plane, however, several on previous Croatian tours flew to nearby Trieste and were shuttled by Sitnica to Pula [€200.00 return per van load (~six passengers) or €140.00 one way]. At Tour’s end a Sitnica van can shuttle participants from Dubrovnik back to Pula at a cost of €400.00 per van load. It is recommended that participants fly in and out of the same city, but for those wishing to depart from Dubrovnik, bike boxes can be transported for a fee (This would only be cost effective, were there a number of participants who wanted to have this service).
The tour fee includes: 20 nights’ accommodation in hotels, based on two persons per room (single room supplement for the Tour will be €340); all breakfasts and dinners; storage for bike boxes; a luggage-carrying van with trailer (when needed for scheduled bike transport); an English speaking cycling guide; a van driver; basic technical assistance for bike repairs; operators insurance; daily maps, cue sheets and route narratives; and ferry fees.
Not included in tour fee: Tour/city guides on free days, bike rentals, arrival and departure transfers, health insurance and any other personal costs. If the group wants to lunches arranged on cycling days, the cost will be €150 per person.
Registration: will begin on April 1st at 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Savings Time. A two dollar non-refundable registration fee is required at sign up, which must be done online at http://tinyurl.com/m9dw6g. Applicants will be selected first, on the basis of date and time of receipt-of-registration; secondly, on fitness and health and cycling experience in relation to the requirements of the tour; and thirdly, on the availability of suitable roommates for single registrants (double room occupancy assumed). Once participants have been determined each will be required to make the first deposit to the Tour Coordinator.
Payment timeline:
| April 25, 2016 | €705 | 30% deposit required |
| July 29, 2016 | €1365 | 60% payment due |
| September 12, 2016 | €230 | Last payment of 10% paid directly to Sitnica upon arrival. |
Payment will be collected by the tour coordinator and forwarded in bulk to Sitnica. Registrants canceling for any reason will incur all costs made or committed on their behalf unless vacancies are filled.
Please note: Cross Canada Cycle Tour Society and the Tour Coordinator are merely assisting CCCTS members with registration, and facilitating tour arrangements. All financial commitments and responsibilities are between Tour registrants/ participants and the Tour Contractor (owner/operator of Sitnica Tourist Agency). Participants are strongly advised to obtain both trip cancellation/interruption insurance and out of country medical insurance.
Itinerary:
| Sept 12 | Day 1 | Arrival | Arrive in Pula (CRO) or Trieste. Bike fit, briefing, dinner |
| Sept 13 | Day 2 | 65 kms | Pula to Klostar. Home cooked meal in a quiet village |
| Sept 14 | Day 3 | 55 kms | Klostar to Buje. Astonishing backcountry & medieval towns |
| Sept 15 | Day 4 | 50 kms | Circular route back to Buje. Picturesque peninsula |
| Sept 16 | Day 5 | 55 kms | Buje to Motovun. Ride thru famous truffle country to hill top town |
| Sept 17 | Day 6 | Free day in fortress town of Motovun | |
| Sept 18 | Day 7 | 55 kms | Motovun to Buzet ride through the heart of the Istrian peninsula |
| Sept 19 | Day 8 | 65 kms | Buzet to Lovran into the Cicarija mountain range |
| Sept 20 | Day 9 | 51 kms | Lovran to Cres, an island of unspoilt scenery |
| Sept 21 | Day 10 | 56 kms | Leave the island of Cres for the day & cycle subtropical Losinj |
| Sept 22 | Day 11 | Free day in Cres to explore the fortified town & wonderful beaches | |
| Sept 23 | Day 12 | 60 kms | Cres to Rab cycle and ferries to this scenic island |
| Sept 24 | Day 13 | 60 kms | Rab to Pag another island hop known for lacework and sheep |
| Sept 25 | Day 14 | 65 kms | Pag to Zadar, one of the most famous towns of the south Adriatic |
| Sept 26 | Day 15 | 70 kms | Zadar to Skradin where the independence war was fought |
| Sept 27 | Day 16 | Free day in Skradin voted No. 1 place on CCCTS tours! | |
| Sept 28 | Day 17 | 80 kms | Skradin to Split region meaning “on the other side of the hill” |
| Sept 29 | Day 18 | 45 kms | Split to Korcula an afternoon cycle after a 3 hour ferry crossing |
| Sept 30 | Day 19 | 60 kms | Korcula to Peljesac our last day of cycling. Vineyard country |
| Oct 1 | Day 20 | Ston to Dubrovnik. Spend the afternoon visiting this living museum | |
| Oct 2 | Day 21 | Departure day |
A full itinerary, including hotel websites will be emailed to participants.
Participants: Bob Baker, Fay Baker, Mark Brumbaugh, Judy Delogne, Holly Evans, Daniel Karger, Louise Karger, Ken Levine, Gary McFarland, Janice McFarland, Dawn Minett, Barry Nelin, Gaye Swanson, Janet Whitehead,